News Release

Helena, Mont. – The Texas legislative session is in full swing and legislators are considering several bills that would impact the state's policies relating to environmental protection and energy policy.

A new report from FollowTheMoney.org examines the energy industry, pro-business organizations and environmental organizations that are working to impact the outcome of this legislation. The report shows that pro-business organizations and the energy companies gave more than $7 million to state parties, officials and candidates in 2008. This is 169 times the $43,000 given by environmental groups and alternative energy companies. Electric utility, oil and gas companies gave $4 million of the $7 million contributed.

All 181 sitting representatives and elected senators received contributions from the organizations.

Energy companies gave overwhelmingly to the Republican Party and Republican candidates: $3.8 million compared to $1.1 million to Democrats. They also heavily favored incumbents, giving 19 times more money to incumbent candidates than to challengers.

Energy companies didn't stop their work at the ballot box. They also made their voices heard inside the statehouse. The top-ten energy donors to campaigns spent between $5.2 million and $9.7 million on 160 lobbyists' salaries in 2008.

Pro-environmental groups and alternative energy companies tried to keep pace, but were simply outmatched when it came to the green that matters. Of the $43,000 given by these groups, $40,850 went to Democrats, and $2,750 went to Republicans. They gave three times more to challengers than incumbents. Their results were mixed, with $23,100 of their contributions going to candidates who won, and $18,500 going to those who lost.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan FollowTheMoney.org collects and analyzes campaign contribution information for state-level candidates, political party committees, and ballot committees. Its free, searchable database of contributions, as well as the full text of this report, are available online at FollowTheMoney.org.